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Exporting To India? DHL Fact Sheet
Exporting To India? DHL Fact Sheet
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
India, like its neighbour China, is a country of extraordinary contrasts: geographical, social and economic. It lies in south Asia between Pakistan, China and Nepal. The barren, snow-capped Himalaya, the world's tallest mountain system, rises along its northern border. South of the Himalaya, the low, fertile Ganges Plain is India's most populous region. The Great Indian Desert lies in the west, but eastern India receives some of the highest rainfall in the world during the monsoon season (June to October). India has the second largest population in the world after China (around 1.2 billion) and has mirrored China in terms of its emergence as of one of the fastest developing economies during the last 20 years. But like China, its rapid economic growth has resulted in unparalleled wealth and prosperity for an educated and entrepreneurial urban minority whilst the majority of its people still face the daily challenges of poverty, illiteracy and a poor social infrastructure, including health care. Indias development into a modern open-market economy began in the early 1990s. Policies of economic liberalisation, including industrial deregulation, privatisation of state-owned enterprises and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment served to accelerate the country's growth, which has averaged more than 7% per year since 1997. Agriculture still supports more than half of the work force but services are the major source of economic growth accounting for more than half of India's output. The country has a burgeoning urban middle class and has made great strides in fields such as information technology. Its large, educated English-speaking workforce makes it a popular choice for international companies seeking to outsource work. However, industry and manufacturing textiles, chemicals, food, steel remain big. Today, iconic British brands such as Tetley tea and Jaguar are all Indian owned. The new Land Rover model rolled off the production line in India in May 2011. But while Indias growth figures may be enviably high, in May 2011 inflation stood at 9% and interest rates were raised in a bid to keep inflation from rising too far. The move served as a reminder that the emerging economies driving global growth are not immune to the high prices for food and fuel around the world.
New Delhi Jaipur Dispur
Patna
Ahmedabad
DHL FACTS
Gateways into the country: Number of Service Centres: DHL Zone: Delivery: Invoicing: 4 88 8 Door-to Door Service from DHL Exports and Imports are billed in Pounds Sterling in the UK
Transit Times
Transit times are affected by the dutiable value of the shipment, due to the expected Customs clearance time. Times are based on working days. UK to India - Example Transit Times New Delhi Mumbai Bengaluru Hyderabad Kolkata Chennai Documents: 2 days Dutiable Shipments: 3-4 days Documents: 2 days Dutiable Shipments: 3-4 days Documents: 2 days Dutiable Shipments: 3-4 days Documents: 3 days Dutiable Shipments: 4-5 days Documents: 2 days Dutiable: 3-4 days Documents: 2 days Dutiable Shipments: 3-4 days
EXPORTING TO INDIA
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
India may have some seemingly odd Customs requirements, for example the duty free clearance of only one shoe per shipment, but its simply a case of making sure the rules are followed and you have the right paperwork in place. 80% of all shipments are released by Customs in India on the day of arrival. DHL India exports and imports approximately 13,000 shipments every day.
If you have any questions about Prohibited or Restricted items, please call Customer Services on 0844 248 0844
It should also be noted that old and second hand goods are restricted for import into India. Capital goods (including IT equipment) with a Chartered Engineer Certificate stating that the goods have a residual life of more than 80% will be accepted. Support with shipping to India, license requirements and specific advice can be found at the links below. UK Trade and Investment India Business Link Getting Ready to Export to Individual Countries
Indian legislation provides two methods for assessing goods brought into the country by air express. The Express mode applies to shipments under 70kg that are not restricted for import, and is the method commonly applied to shipments sent with DHL Express. The freight mode exists for shipments above 70kg. Within the Express clearance mode, Indian Customs recognises four distinct categories of shipments:
Documents
This category includes general correspondence, legal documents and plans and diagrams that are for the purpose of transmitting information and not commercially produced for mass distribution. Items such as blank forms, magazines, journals, newspapers and shipping schedules are accepted as documents in limited quantities (up to 10). Items shipped in greater quantities or with potential commercial implications, such as advertising brochures, should not be sent as documents. Duty and taxes are not payable on items classed as documents.
ESSENTIAL PAPERWORK
All Indian exporters and importers of dutiable shipments must be registered with the Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Registered shippers are provided with an Importer Exporter Code (IEC). All economic operators also need a Permanent Account Number (PAN). These codes should be obtained from your consignee (receiver) or supplier in India and should be clearly stated on the commercial/proforma invoice or on a separate document. Paperwork required for non-document shipments: 1. DHL Waybill 2. Commercial or Pro-Forma Invoice The invoice must be in English and should be on company letter head or include the company seal. It must include: Name and address of the seller/consignor (shipper with EORI / VAT number Name and address of the consignee (receiver), with IEC number where known Name and address of the buyer, if other than the consignee, with IEC number if known Place and date of issue Invoice number Country of origin Transport information, including vessel/ flight number/ courier name Terms of delivery and payment (INCO terms) Marks and numbers, number and type of packages Exact description of goods, with reference to HS tariff code Quantity of goods Unit prices and amounts, including net and gross weight Export licence number, or No Licence Required as applicable for UK regulations Import licence number, if applicable Signature Values must be in one of the following currencies: Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Danish Krone, Euro, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Norwegian Krone, Pound Sterling, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc, US Dollar. Please note that invoices stating No commercial value will be subjected to additional Customs checks. 3. GATT Declaration (For shipments valued above INR. 100,000) This declaration confirms the value of the shipment. It must be an original document. Please note, evidence of value must accompany the document, as detailed below. An incorrect declaration will result in the shipment being seized. 4. Evidence of Value Its good practice to include evidence of the shipments value to help prevent a dispute over the declared value. Acceptable evidence includes: Manufacturers International Price List or Internet Price List Product literature Manual and Catalogue, write ups or Technical Literature for laboratory or Electronic equipment 5. Letter of Authority This must be given by the Consignee to DHL to act on its behalf. It must be an original copy. Once on file this can be retained for future imports for the same consignee. 6. Packing List (signed) 7. Purchase Order 8. Any applicable Import License/Permit
ESSENTIAL PAPERWORK
To Import from India, the following documentation is usually required for Customs clearance in India: 1. Certificate Copy of Importer/Exporter Code (IEC) with Permanent Account Number (PAN), issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) 2. DHL Waybill 3. Commercial Invoice The minimal information required is: Name and address of the seller Name and address of the consignee,with EORI or VAT registration number wherever possible Name and address of the buyer / importer, if other than the consignee, with EORI or VAT registration number wherever possible Place and date of issue Invoice number Country of origin Terms of delivery and payment (INCOTERMS) Marks and numbers, number and type of packages, Exact description of goods, with reference to HS tariff code Quantity of goods Unit prices and amounts, including net and gross weight Import licence number, if applicable 4. Self Declaration Form (SDF) Original Copy Required 5. Shippers Letter of Instruction (SLI, shippers instruction to DHL on how shipment is to be cleared)